Boda boda rider fatally shot during street cleaning enforcement in Ndejje

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On the second National Cleaning Day, a 38-year-old motorcyclist was fatally shot in Kanaaba, Ndejje, within Makindye-Ssabagabo on a Saturday morning. This occurred as law enforcement was enforcing movement restrictions for the cleaning initiative, according to a URN report from August 29, 2026, which was posted in the News section.

Reports indicate that Ronald Kizito Jjuuko was killed by Allan Okello, a police officer from Ndejje police post, shortly after 7 am. This happened as security personnel began enforcing a directive requiring residents to participate in a three-hour cleaning activity.

Local residents stated that Jjuuko was traveling home when he encountered police officers enforcing the restrictions. Hassan Ssezi, who lives in Kanaaba-Ndejje, mentioned that Jjuuko apparently did not notice the officers until he had passed them.

Ssezi recounted that the officers were not easily visible due to their location. He stated that Jjuuko had gone a few meters past them when the officer shot him from behind, causing him to hit a road barrier.

Ssezi suggested that Jjuuko appeared to have been working overnight and was returning home before the movement limitations for the cleaning exercise became effective.

Furthermore, inhabitants alleged that some officers associated with the Ndejje police post had previously demonstrated behaviour they described as unpredictable and intoxicated.

Jjuuko's remains were transported to Mulago City Mortuary for an autopsy.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachel Kawala announced that an investigation had been initiated to determine the circumstances of the shooting. This inquiry will examine whether the use of force was justified and if the officer adhered to established police protocols.

This incident occurred just hours after police had issued a warning that strict measures would be taken against individuals who violated movement restrictions during the second National Cleaning Day.

In an official communication released on Friday, police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma encouraged the public to cooperate with security personnel enforcing the directive and to refrain from confrontations.

Kituuma emphasized that members of the public should strongly collaborate with the security forces deployed to implement the directive, advising them to avoid any altercations, arguments, or clashes, and cautioning that confrontations could lead to arrests and the use of force.

Security agencies had indicated that enforcement for Saturday's cleaning exercise would be more stringent, unlike the first National Cleaning Day on July 26. During the initial event, police primarily stopped motorists, and only a few instances were reported where officers allegedly compelled civilians to clean.

Police reiterated that officers were deployed to uphold public order and safeguard lives and property, but underscored that any application of force must be lawful, necessary, and proportional.

The force has also communicated that firearms and other forms of force must be utilized in compliance with the law, established operational guidelines, and the specific circumstances at the moment.

One might question which nation conducts compulsory military exercises for street cleaning. There seems no justification for armed police to persuade citizens to clean their properties and surroundings in Uganda, a less developed African country. If there are insufficient taxpayer funds to maintain cleanliness across Uganda, then how can abundant resources be allocated for the considerable expenses of operating the current government?

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